o connell



2 Sheets-Sheet 2. M. OCONNELL.

Checking Horses.

Patented Ju1y-21, 1868.

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MAURICE OG O NNELL, or BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS,

w s Patent No. 80,0255; dated July 21, 1868. I

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONOlilRN:

Be it known that I, MAURICE OCONNELL, ofthe city of Boston, in thecounty otflsufifolk, andCommon- Wealth of Massachusetts, watchmakery'have invented a new and improved ModeofEflctuallyChecking a Horse or Horses Attached to any and all Kinds of Wheeled Vehicles, and preventing their ruuning away when left standing; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencelmarked thereon;

The nature of my invention consistsjin converting he wheels of any vehicle into a means of utilizingthe" power developed by the horse in his efforts to move, and making it the means of checking mam 1 A A represent a pair of wheels, to the hub of each one of which is firmly attached, on the inside, a wheel of any convenient diameter, made of any kindof tenacious metal, or of any other tenacious and durable mate rial, and having its periphery graduatedand cutfinto a number of equal parts, forming the teeth of the first power, or driving-wheels, Nos. 11. p v v The diagram under letter B, and composed of the 'several pieces, numbered, consecutively, from 2 to 7, inclusive, supplies all that remains necessary to put the invention into operation. Its use, and thetrelation of its several parts to each other, as wellas its construction and operation, I will proceed to describe, so as to enable allparties skilled in mechanics, and interested i n the matter, to use my invention; l

No. 4 is a shaft made of any kindof metal, hard woo-d,-or any durable material, of suflicie'ntstrength for the use to which it is applied, and oi'length to reach across' the' vehicle, from one to the other of the wheels 1 1, attached to the hnbsf On each end of this shaft is'iirmly aflixed a'sm'all wheel orpinion, 2 2, soproportioned in diameter to that of the wheels 1, as, when impelled by them, to rotatejwith greater velocity than they do; and in its teeth or leaves so fitted to the teeth of thewheels, being cut or graduated by the same tool or process used for forming the teeth of the wheels, that the, opcration of the wheel on the pinionis made to be'free and certain. The shaft, prior to aflixing-the pinionson its ends, is put throughthe two p-ivo-t-holesof ayoke or brace, No. 5, madeof wrought or cast iron, or 'an'y other metal, 'thoseholes being exactly the di-ameter, of the shaft, and intended, in the-yoke, to supply thebcarings or pivot-holes for'the shaft to rotate in. Between the arms" of the yoke or brace 5 is introduced the small barrel, No. 3, so'closely-fittedin length to the space betweenthe arms of the yoke, that ithas barely end-chase or freedourenoughto revolve. The dianieter ot'- the bore .of this barrel is oxactly'that ot' the shaft, which, when pas sed through -the arms ofthe yoke and the intermediate barrehis, by a single pin through or across its cer'itre, 'so firmly united with thebarrelthat they become one, the ends of the barrel resting against the arms of the yoke, and acting" as shoulders tothe pivots,1which the periphery of the shaft becomes, as it bears and revolves in the holes in the arms of .tho yolge, and thereby preventing the shaftfrom moving endwise. v I

, The pinions are now fastened on to the ends of the shaft. The yoke, with the lover Sand 7attached,'-is so affixed to the perch, by meansof small bolts permittin'g'itto he slida little back and forth on the level; of the perch, that, usin'g the upright handle, 7,-a s a lever, the horizontal bar 6 slides'forwardjust enough to bring. the pinions into proper depth on the graduated wheels. To the very centre-of theharrel 3, oil-the shaft 4, is also attached one end of a chain or rein of leather, cord, or" other stronglmaterial, having a hook on the other end. i l

When -it is desired to use theinvention attached to a carriage, the horse-reins are first hooked to the chain or rein on the barrel 3, as appear-sin the diagram 0, the shaft, by means of the-lever-handle 7, is brough't,wit h its end-pinions, into proper depth on the graduated wheels, and thus the moment the horse attempts a forward motion, the wheels set the shaft revolving, the check-rein is wound thereon, drawing back with it the horsereins, and at the very instant he would start, the strain'is brought to bear upon the reins with a force proportionate to the force and rapidity of his own movements. f

When check is no longer needed; tho'leverf-handle 7 reversed, throws the piniohs on the shaft out of pitching,-entirely clear of the graduated wheels, as they should everv be held when not required for use, and they cease to rotate. I

The distance which thehorizontal bar 6 must slide on the perch to bring the pinions into or throw them outof action and proper depth, is regulated by inserting in the bottom of the vehicle a small iron or any metallic plate, 8, having a slit and one ratchet-tooth, as represented. The upright lever 7 passes through the slit, and, when moved forward or backward, is retained in either place, .in or out of pitching, by being made to rest on the cross-line of the tooth, or the line at its base, the length of one tooth being all-suificient to bring the pinions into action, or throw them altogether out of action at any time, at the pleasure of the occupant.

I claim as my invention I p I The combination and.arrangement. of the two gears 1 1, the two pinions' 2 2, the shaft 4, the barrel .3, the yoke 5, and the slide 6, as applied to'the two wheels and their axle, and as provided ivith' a chain and hook, the

whole being as and for the purpose specified. y MAURICE OCONNELL;

Witnesses:

L. A. OGQNNEL ALEXANDER MOORE. 

